My National Scrapbooking Day Challenges for Scrapbook.com

Two cards and a layout for Scrapbook.com National Scrapbooking Day and one of those cards is for Power Poppy's Hues to Use Challenge. 

Party Time Stamp Set from Power Poppy was stamped with Tuxedo Black Ink (Memento) on Neenah Classic Crest 110lb and colored with Copic Markers.  Happy Birthday from Hero Arts Ribbon Messages Stamp & Cut was also stamped on Neenah with Versafine Ink.  It was sprinkled with Clear Embossing Powder (Ranger).  The background is a Bold Confetti Die (Hero Arts), the colored image was cut with Stitched Rectangles Die (Stamps of Life) and the sentiment was all run through my trusty Big Shot (Sizzix).  The colored image and sentiment are raised with scotch foam tape.  This for the Die Cut Challenge.

 This card was made with Written in the Stars and Die-namics Shining Stars.  The background is made with Distress Oxide Inks (Ranger). This challenge was to show your style.  Mine is sparkly and colorful!

This is for the Live Love Laugh Challenge - using lots of embellishments.  These papers are from Echo Park.  My Grandson is quite a bit younger here.  I did manage to stitch on the side with Sew Easy Tool.

Hope you are all spending time crafting today!  Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

Affiliate links used at no cost to you.  Not all links are affiliate, I just want to share what I used.  All products were purchase by my unless noted.  I don’t sell anything nor am I employed.  This is my hobby and I hope to inspire you to play :)

Creating Keepsakes Convention - Had a Blast!

My bestest buddy (Becky) and I have been going to the CKC for many years!  So many years that we drove to Nashville TN before they started coming to St Louis MO - Now that's devotion!


We have noticed that the number of Vendors has diminished over the years.  We were very sad when Embellish It and Technique Tuesday stopped because we always looked forward to their classes. Boooo 


This year we took 4 classes and all but one was new for us.  The Thursday night Technique Class always offers a "Head Start" on all the newest products/techniques offered.  It's a three hour class and this year we made 6 items.  One jewelry item from Craft Fantastic, one card from Queen and Company and the rest were layouts from: SEI, Lickety Split Scrapbooks, The Paper Loft, Kellers Creations and Creating Keepsakes.  Now we don't actually complete all those items, but we get the skinny on the technique/product and move on.  This one is by Likety Split Scrapbooks.

Friday we took a Creating Keepsakes Class called the Newest and Coolest for 2016.  This is a lecture class along with a bag full of product - $130 worth, and the cost of the class was in the low $50 range.  Seems like 52, 54?   Here are some of the goodies.

Now we always choose more classes on Saturday because we shop on Friday.  This year we took The Stamps of Life Class on Cards.  I highly recommend this class and or any class by Stephanie Barnard.  She's a great teacher, her products are awesome and below is one of the cards.  We also made a Box Card and Pop Up Card.  For some reason my computer is being stubborn because the edits I did in Microsoft Office are not working properly and I hate to turn my head sideways to see the silly picture.

Next we took Stamplistic Class, Stacked and Gorgeous.  These were very beautiful, expensive and time comsuming cards that have real Swarovski Crystals on them.  And here are the two cards we made.

So, my advise:  If you have an opportunity to attend a Creating Keepsakes Convention, plan ahead, go online and select and purchase classes.  If you pick three classes you gain free admission both days of the Vendor Fair and gain early access pass.  Take your best buddy and have a ball!!!

Jacob

I did this layout for National Scrapbooking Day, a challenge over at Scrapbook.com.  We had to use at least four square pictures on a layout.  I used my cricut to cut the title and then I sprayed it with Glimmer Mist.  Jacob was a good little model for these shots.  Papers are from The Paper Studio.  I do love folding flowers for little corner accents.  The button was made out of filmo clay and dotted with my signo pen.

Photo Shoot

Isn't he adorable?  Yes, I'm prejudiced, he's my Grandson, Jacob.

Well Jacob, his Mom Sara, his Aunt Ellie and Me (Mimi) set out to take some pictures of this little handsome man.  Yes, it took 3 of us.  Mainly because I was still recovering from surgery.

Echo Park's Times and Seasons line has moustache paper, perfect for this layout, in fact all the papers on this are from this line with the exception of the journaling spot.  It was made using brown kraft card stock and Spellbinders Labels 18 with bling from Want2Scrap.

EK Success Border punch was used on the navy blue and finally I had a bit of black tulle that I tied in a bow.

It's A Boy Thing Layout

Just some fun silly pictures of my Grandson Dominic doing what he does best - having fun!  The papers are from The Paper Studio, Hobby Lobby's Line.  The title, stars and bike are Dazzles that I got at CKC.  The buttons, are actually die cuts that I made with Sizzix sizzlets die.  Got some washi tape and a few Tim Holtz goodies as well.

I do love this little guy!

I went a little flower crazy on this layout

It's been a while since I dug into my flower stash.  Bout time I did though.  These pics are when Katie came over after I bought my new purse.  She's a big Michael Kors fan.  I knew she would appreciate the purchase.

The papers and embellie are from Anna Griffin, I used a Martha Stewart Punch and Spellbinders Foliage die for the leaves.  My stash of flowers are all mixed together in a big clear container so I can pick and choose easily, this means I can't tell you who made what.  The papers I chose looked a little busy all together so I added a piece of lace to tame it down.

Sweet Dreams

Just had to share this one with you.  My youngest Grandson Jacob sleeping.

Exposed Filigree Acrylic Mini

I scored three of these Exposed Clear Acrylic Albums from an online sale for only $.99 each!  What a bargain, plus I got oodles of odds and ends for cheap!!!!  This mini album features my Daughter Ellie and Grandson Dominic playing in the sprinkler.  First thing I did is spray Tattered Angels The Paint System Sprays on the cover and dry with a heat tool.  Inking all edges with The Angel Company Ink, I cut a scrap strip and used a two inch circle punch for the picture.  Using Staz On I stamped the Technique Tuesday Sentiment and added Making Memories Flutter Trim and a felt star.   The fibers and paper was adhered with a xyron sticker maker covering the entire back so it wouldn't show on the back side.  On the back I placed another circle punch sticker exactly where the previous side pic was.


The second page was done similarly only using a square 2 inch punch for the pictures.  Spellbinders Labels 18 were cut and placed on each side for journaling and a Bazzill Border was placed using the xyron also.  One side has Tattered Angels Glam and the other side has gems along the border.


The final page has Zing Embossing powder on the surface not covered by a photo.  Careful to not overheat the powder or the acrylic will melt and bend.  The Back side has cardstock covering the entire page.  Technique Tuesday sentiment and doodles are stamped.  KI Memories makes the glitter border sticker.  I probably wouldn't have added that if I hadn't goofed and stamped the sentiment upside down....See, that goof made my page prettier, I think!


Finally, I added the ring to bind the pages and covered it with lots of various ribbons.

Before you delete those photos....

I was scrolling through the pictures my sister took on Thanksgiving and I just cracked up when I saw how squirmy my Grandson was.  If you look at all the 2x2 pics and focus on the little guy while realizing the camera was shooting continuously...you see just how fast the little guy moves.  We were fortunate enough to have a very mild day and the little ones had been playing outside for a bit.  Dominic was all riled up and could not sit still.  This made it hard for Dad who was in the tree holding him.  
Being the scrapbooker in the family, I had to record this story.
Have a wonderful, safe and blessed New Year!

Family is a Precious Gift

I made this to hang in my den.  The shadow box has hinges at the top so it can easily be opened from the front.  Michaels carries these and of course a coupon was used!  Got to love coupons!  

All the pictures are sepia toned and are of all my loved ones!  Since Christmas is so close, I guess I had gifts on my mind and that's where the inspiration came from.  I used Martha's punches for the "ribbon" and Spellbinders for the "bow".  

Some of the "bow" layers have pearls on them and I think the second from the bottom layer has paper piercing around the edge.  I did use quite a bit of foam tape to separate the layers.  Cricut font Lyrical Letters were used for my sentiment on this pretty wide ribbon.

You can tell by some of the pics, that some of us like to "pose" when getting photographed.  I was sure to include these pics too because this is about us.  Gifts are just that: Gifts.  We need to remember that each person's traits make them who they are.  I am very blessed to have a wonderful family that I love very much!  

I'm always on the prowl for Tips and Tricks in Scrapbooking

You know when you found a GREAT site when you check it EVERY DAY and are a little bit bummed when there isn't a new post on the weekends.  I have a few of those but the one I want to share with you today is My Craft Channel.  I've been to many many CK Conventions and one lady that always impresses me is Shelby Dredge from Embellish it.  Shelby does a daily Tips show at this site, it's usually only a couple of minutes long, but I've never been disappointed.  
Now My Craft Channel has several shows that cover many interests in crafting.  They also have a deal of the day (which I'm currently waiting for a purchase - p.s. it's a Christmas Present waiting to be completed for someone special).
Another show on this site that I wait with anticipation for....is....Photo Freedom with Stacy Julian.  I bought her book Photo Freedom a while back and promptly converted all my scrapbooks.  See my previous post here for a look.  I can now lay my hands on any layout I've done previously and know without flipping through album after album.  Bonus....I can find pictures of specific people/events too!
Anyways, I just wanted to pass this site along to you and I hope you get as much out of it as I do! 

Pool Buddies Layout

The background paper just screamed to me "use me" for these pics.  The cute little fishes dictated the accent colors and I love the touch of glitter.  The title was done with my cricut, Lyrical Letters for both fonts.  Spellbinders dies seem to find their way onto most of my projects including this one, Big Scalloped Circles under the circle pic. I really didn't want to try and use an ink pad or sponge to ink the edges so I used a Copic Marker to do it.  Just ran the brush tip around the edges, so easy!

Sorry about the purple border on the outside edge, I must have had the color picker still on that color when I straightened my pic.  (I can't take a straight pic for anything and have to use Photoshop to fix it)
This is my Grandson Dominic and Daughter Ellie doing what we do in the summer to run off energy.  Best $20.00 I every spent!

Courage begins....

You know courage can begin anywhere....some of us struggle with public speaking, creating or really the first step at a new task.  That being said, here's a layout of my daughter and grandson. 

So I hope you got a little giggle seeing this, I know I did. 

Now for confession time:  I use embellies to cover up my mistakes.  This is one of the wonderful things about scrapping.  Can you tell where?  Under the buttons is a little mis-alignment with my punching. 

Layout for the Sassy 6

Sometimes you just seem to "click" with a group.  This layout is about one of those groups.  Ellie (my daughter #3) and these young ladies have been fast friends for many years.  They get together regularly for "girls night" which sometimes includes photos.  Love those photos!

I found the background paper a while ago so I don't remember where I got it and it doesn't have any info on the back (so sorry).  It seemed so perfect for this layout that I took care to let some of the special meaning words show.  A teeny tiny border allowed me some journaling space and not detract from the design.  It's hard to see but the banner has a stitched line.  After stitching I realized that maybe I should have done the straight line on the back so the front side would show a thicker line.  So, that's one thing to remember the next time I want a wider stitched line.

Yep, that's my girl on the bottom :)

Teenagers...and their silly camera antics

I have always loved taking pictures, but when I was a teenager we had these old instamatic cameras that had to have a little square light bulb on top of a spacer plus FILM.  lol  These days, taking pictures with digital cameras are so much fun.  Each of my girls had digital cameras pretty early on and my youngest (19) has been taking full advantage of hers.  She took these pics a few years ago.  Every so often, I would snag her SD card and load the pics on my computer.  It always cracks me up!  Anyways, here's a layout using two of those pics.

I used a couple of punches on this one as well as a little bling and a chippy.  This flower was made using EK Success Dahlia Punch and the border was made with Martha Stewarts Punch.  Papers from Bo Bunnys Mama-Razzi.

Family Reunion using Mama Razzi

Our annual weekend crop was a blast!  Over 50 women get together at a hotel for some scrappy goodness.  This was our 7th year together, mostly people from our church and friends.  I chose to work on Family Reunion Pictures from 2010.  My Dad is the 15th out of 17 children so our reunions are quite large and here are a few of the pages I did.

Family Reunion

Deep Discussions

Food

Hula Hoop Pal

Up a Tree

Monkey See Monkey Do

All of these pages were done using Bo Bunny's Mama Razzi with a little help from Cricut, Martha, KI Memories, Crafters Workshop and Prima.

2011 Calendar

I use a calendar called MyBook.  It has places for pictures and it has become a favorite of mine.   This year I went to Archivers to purchase one and they only had the bigger one.  My preference is for a smaller one, small enough to tuck in my purse.  Since I waited til late in the year, I just decided to make one.

The acrylic pages are 5x7, the interior pages are 4x6 and the dividing pages are 4.5x6.5.  I just grabbed one of my matting stacks that I had in my stash, bought the acrylic covers and Teresa Collins photo holders.   Don Juan is the font for 2011 and a Basicgrey rubon decorate the front cover.

Four x six index cards are used for the week at a glance and each page has the dates stamped.

The photo holders are staggered along the length of the o-wire so it's easy to see that there are more than one.   A "notes" section was also included.  Lastly, are some premade pockets, I think these are Pebbles. Wrong, these are KI Memories.  Sorry 

All bound together with my zutter bind it all.

Christmas Album in a Jiffy Tutorial

If you are like me, you take loads of pictures during the Holiday Season. To keep this large group of photos “tamed” to a reasonable project I’ve been doing a Christmas 8x8 album for the past 4 years. In each album are pictures from a Family Party, Celebrating at Home, at My Mom’s and at My In-Laws. I like to bring these albums out at Christmas Time to reflect on years past.





Today I’m going to share how to do an album in one day. Do I recommend doing it in one day - NO! But I broke mine up and got it done it two days. It is a very simple design but can easily be jazzed up to suit your style. Working in Mass Production Mode helps speed things along.

1. Purchase your album and measure the size of the protector. I say this because first I purchase a “Recollections” album (Michaels Brand) and it fit a page slightly less than 8”. Unfortunately I didn’t do this first and then ended up buying an American Crafts after I had all my pages done. It fit’s a true 8x8 page.




2. Select a group of papers to work with. I chose Dasher from Basicgrey and since it is an older pattern I got the collection for $6. (Score)




3. Chose your background papers. My choice was white cardstock and I trimmed 60 sheets to 8x8 saving the extra pieces. The ½ inch piece makes great journaling spots. Once you have an idea of how many pages you’ll end up with you will know how many papers to trim.

4. Cut your 12x12 inch papers into 2”x8” pieces. Using the picture as a guide you should get 8 pieces out of each sheet. You will need one 2”x8” strip per page. I also used edge punches on some of my pages.

5. Ink all your edges. If you’re not an inker, disregard.




6. Now for the pictures. Separate them by event, for me, that means four piles.





7. Time to trim your pics! If you are working with 4x6 prints most of these will need to be trimmed. Your best pictures can stand on their own for a page while most pages will have 2 pics. Some pages, maybe even 3 if you really crop them. Remember you will need to leave room for embellishments and journaling.

8. Organize your trimmed pics into the order you want them scrapped.




9. Embellishments - Choose wisely! I stick with a few edge punches, ink, die cuts and maybe a bit of bling. For me, and these albums, my style is simple and clean.

If you have access to a die cut machine: choose a few dies and cut a bunch in complementary cardstock and remaining pattern papers. Then ink them up!

 

If you don’t have access to a die cutting machine, then consider prepackaged coordinating stickers/chipboard.




10. Time to assemble! Start with your cover page, whatever floats your boat. Then take your blank background 8x8 papers, two at a time, select 2 2x8 strips and arrange strips at either outside edges or top or bottom. You will be looking at a two page spread at a time. Chose pics from your first event in your chosen order and start laying them out. Proceed laying out two page spreads until you have them all laid out. If you are happy with the order then it’s time to glue REMEMBERING that you still have journaling and embellishments to add.

 Yes, that's my oldest daughter, in all her splendor!  lol
11. Add your die cuts. I’ve tried different adhesives and for die cuts I like using Scotch glue. Again remembering that you still have journaling to add.

12. The Hard Part, at least for me. Journaling! I take those leftover ½” by 11” strips (from the 8 ½ x 11 cardstock) and write my journaling on them. A quick outline and then paste them down.  Spellbinders makes some wonderful nesting scalloped ovals that are perfect for journaling.

13. Slip your completed pages into your album.

Here are a few examples